Like this? I didn't know about this, thank you.


Magnetic Project Mat Screw Keeper Chart With Fine Point Whiteboard ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4KNDDT/ref

Okay, but like these exist.

These work well, but don’t fit in the tools: [glass board markers](Quartet Glass Board Dry Erase Markers, Bullet Tip, Premium, Assorted Colors, 4-Pack (79552) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZZIGCQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3oH3DbENG6Q6G)

Every person in the math department at my college has one or more sets of these: Pilot V Board Master Refillable Markers.

>My experience is that if you leave anything on the whiteboard over a week, when you erase it there'll still be an obvious ghost left there if you only dry erase it. And if you use it often enough there'll be annoying light lines that build up over time.

That's what dry erase board cleaner is for. Never a trace left after using it...

>And there's still the smudge problem with the markers and the markers tend to be quite thick.

They make fine tip markers.

Like these?: https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Condren-Fine-Erase-Marker/dp/B07D7KF1GG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_229_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1Z4HCMMJQ4DMDH1FYCD6

I quickly lost the whiteboard WGU sent me and bought this one as a replacement. The whiteboard is fairly unimportant. What is more critical is getting a fine pointed dry erase marker.

I was going to get an 8 pack of expo dry erase for $6, but Amazon ran out, then when they resupplied it became an add-on item.

I wound up going with Board Dudes,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050I7KQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_A.l8ybE1TSJ48

but I don't think they show up as well as expo on my pathfinder mat.

Might get some wet erase instead.

Chalk pens work but only time will tell if they leave makes behind.

> A lot of tables are pressed for physical room... like almost always. a folded index card so it stands up on the battlemap works nicely without taking too much space.

I guess I've never played with a typical setup, then? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I don't like using scrap paper or index cards for temporary bonuses. The reason 8x10-ish is my size of choice is because it's the size most easily available, and it's more or less the same size as the character sheets, so you can use it as a lapboard for your sheet, or you can keep all your stuff in one pile together.

Smaller dry erase surfaces are available too, though, such as these 3x3 ones. Smaller ones are usually magnetic, but those Quartet ones have a magnet glued to the back, which I imagine you could pry off if you didn't want it.

> ColorCoding is key, but a little pricey for some folks on a super-tight budget (dice these days are ridiculous for some folks like students on a plan)

That's why I also suggested going left to right by their position on the table after rolling if there weren't enough dice available to colour code them. The multiweapon fighter in my current group used to roll by colour coding at earlier levels, but he's a Thri-Kreen 3.5 Dervish. We're not going to BS around finding 20 different colours of d20s.

> Deciding Actions: ShotClock + high-energy narration will keep the tension high and make combat a lot more exciting than the usual slog it tends to be

I dislike the "shockclock" mode of play because it makes me too anxious, and play with others who have anxiety disorders. I'm sure it works for some groups, but it's not something that will be fun for everyone. I think it's perfectly fine to encourage players to have their actions ready, without punishing them if they don't.

Really not sure why you're even replying to me, though. I'm not OP and I wasn't asking for advice. You already made your own comment where you gave your advice to OP. So you just... what, really need to make sure I know that you don't agree with what I like, or something?

1. I personally prefer to use a Paizo Flip Map and draw on it using Retractable Dry Erase Markers. These are relatively cheap and there are options that have terrain/buildings on them instead of the basic one linked. In one of my groups, we have a couple of us who meet in person and two people who moved to the other coast. What we do is setup a roll20 session and display that on a computer monitor locally.
   
2. Dice, pencils, character sheets, and rulebooks. As a GM, I have a pound of dice (I personally went with Chessex but others on here have loved WizDice) and a bunch of mechanical pencils I bring to every session. In my experience, someone will forget something (or doesn't have enough d8s for their full attack) so having those on hand works well.
   
3. I do not recommend actually reading the core rulebook. I would recommend they only look through the rules required for the character they are building. For GMing I recommend this list. This list can be shortened for players (removing creating adversaries and whatnot). Players should be familiar with their class abilities, moving, basic combat, skills, etc. Since it sounds like you've GM'd before, I expect you're familiar enough with the rules that if something comes up the players don't know then you can help them figure it out.
   
4. In person: pencil and paper. I've used HeroLab in the past but even then I copied the character to a hand written sheet.
   
5. I bought mine a long while back and went with the D&D 4e Characters (Example Set). Looking at the prices on Amazon, I definitely don't recommend that now. If you have a decently sized hobby/gaming shop in town, I would walk through it and see what you find. That's how I found the 4e figures.

^This^ But make sure to get the Crayola Washable Dry Erase Markers.
I can leave maps on mine for weeks at a time and it comes off with a wet cloth, no problem.

I use Expo Extra Fine Tip https://www.amazon.com/1871774-Low-Odor-Erase-Markers-4-Count/dp/B00I8OBAKE/


Write just fine for me https://imgur.com/5vW1iWU

You can use any dry erase marker. This is my favorite one because it has a very fine point, like a regular pen. :)

Just had a thought... not super cheap, but 25-30 bucks at Amazon gets you a 12-pack of 9x12 whiteboards. Would certainly last a lot longer than paper, and even if you left marker on for months, maybe a solvent could just nuke 'em clean again?

Protip for whiteboarding: buy a good fine-tip dry erase marker and bring it with you.

There's 3 solutions that can work for you.

First get good markers!

Cheapo Expo markers seem to work at first, but they are pretty awful, I struggled with them for years before I discovered that having really nice makers makes a huge difference in how easy it is to erase. These are very good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DC2MGC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Secondly a blank laminate. Seriously a laminate sheet that is just empty nothing, no paper inside it. That might fix the 'light weight, transparent, and portable' thing you're looking for.

As for smudging, it's always gonna kinda happen, that's just how it is with alcohol markers; just prepare ahead of time or expect it to happen.

Why? Well if you want a marker to be erasable it needs to not adhere to the surface, hence smudging. If you want it not to wipe of smudge, it's gonna be permanent; you just have to find a happy medium in this particular case.

​

The 3rd solution is Wet-Erase markers, no smudging, but slightly more tough to wipe off.

D&D Basics (Getting started)

The Absolute Basics

First you will want to grab either the Basic rules (Free), the Starter Set (Cheap), or the Players handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Probably Monster Manual

Then you need to have at least a few items

• Dice (Phone apps will work if absolutely necessary, or these)
  
• Paper & Pencil (for notes)
  
• Character Sheet (In the free PDF or an app)
  
  The starter set is nice because it does a bunch of the work for you, it has an easy to follow adventure, pre-made characters, Dice, and rules for the DM and players. And at half the cost of just the players handbook AND including an adventure, it is an incredible value.
  
  Once you finish that then looking at at least a players handbook for the extra races, classes, backgrounds, and other things is a good deal. That should let you run free adventures people have put online.
  
  The DM's guide will let you get deeper into rules and the right way to call them, break them, and make them.
  
  The monster manual can be a great tool to make better encounters.
  
  If you want to run a commercial adventure after the one's included in the starter set, "Tales from the Yawning Portal" includes the Sunless Citidel, considered by many to be an excellent adventure for those new to the game and just recently brought up from 3.5e into 5e
  
  

  Common Tools of the Trade
  

  
  As you start running more complex adventures you are going to want to have a few tools to keep things moving, either as a player or as a DM.
  
  

  As a Player
  

  
  The bare essentials every players should have are listed above, but most players agree having a few extras can make the game run really quick.
  
  

  Spell Cards
  

  
  These cards have all the spells available for specific classes or from specific books on really well organized cards that make it easy to set aside your prepared spells and quickly reference all the core details.
  
  Cleric, Arcane, Ranger, Druid, Bard, Paladin, Martial Powers and Races, Xanathars Guide to Everything
  
  

  Binders & Sheet Protectors
  

  
  Keeping everything neat and organized can be a huge time saver and make it much easier for you to find what you need. Binders can be a great way to keep your notes and other materials organized. In addition many sheet protectors easily erase dry erase markers making it easy to keep track of spells and other changes without ruining character sheets with constant erasing.
  
  

  As a DM
  

  
  DMs have their work cut out for them. But a few simple tools can make the game run smooth and leave everyone having that much more fun.
  
  

  Index Cards
  

  
  A set of index cards can go a long way to speeding up the game. Players can put details on spells or magic items on them. You can prepare loot for the game ahead of time and hand it out allowing players to look over the gear as the game continues. You can also use them to hide portions of a battle map or commerical map to give the effect of fog of war.
  
  

  Game Mats
  

  
  A game mat let's you make single maps by drawing on them with dry erase or wet erase markers. Many are made of vinyl and can last a long time. Normally they will have either 1" squares or hex shapes.
  
  

  Minitures
  

  
  These things can be expensive, but giving your game that 3D upgrade and helping players better manage space in a game can be well worth it. You can use actual miniatures (Like those from Reaper), Create custom ones on Hero's Forge, or even just buy some cheap stand in tokens from Game Mash.
  
  If you just need a cheap way to keep track of positions army men, bottle caps, colored game pieces, and even legos can all play the role.
  
  No matter what you use, you can pick up colored rubber bands to mark status conditions or other information.
  
  

  Where Can I Play?
  

  
  You can find tons of places to play D&D.
  
  

• Get together a gaming group.
  
• Find a Guild or club in your area. Meetup.com,
  
• Most hobby shops and especially comic book and gaming shops offer games, usually Adventure League. WotC offers a tool to find stores here.
  
• /r/lfg can be a great way to find others to play online with.
  
• Play by Mail sites like RPoL allow you to play by forum post.
  
  

  Also:
  

  
  Critical Role - Voice actors playing DnD, Matt Mercer (The DM) is an amazing Dungeon Master and shows how the game should be played.
  
  Matthew Colville - Amazing videos on being a DM, must watch material for every DM. Even when your opinions differ he gives good reasons and great advice.
  
  

  Compendiums
  

  
  These let you ciew all the free open rules (SRD & Basic Rules) for D&D 5e at no cost.
  
  Roll20 Compendium - Has all the open rules for the game, so a good source for monsters, items, spells, etc.
  
  DnDBeyond - A more official source for the content, plus you can buy all the materials released by WotC to use, and has a great character builder.
  
  

  Adventures & Maps
  

  
  DMsGuild - Tons of free and paid adventures and other materials. The quality can be varying, but many are free and that can be great.
  
  /r/dndmaps/ - What more can they say, D&D Maps.
  
  Mike Schley Makes many of the maps for the D&D Adventures.

Ok, you're the second one but the first one didn't wanted the markers, so here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Marker-Erasable-Reversible-8-Colors/dp/B0711DFGBM

are you interested in them ? :)

For the labels that I print? I meant that I print out all of that info and put a piece of tape over it so it is protected. I put one on the lid and on the side so I can see what is regardless of angle. Initially I just put it on the lid but quickly realized the error of my ways when I took multiple lids off for a blend. The labels in the pic look like the chalk style labels which I have some of. There are special markers for that material.

•I love these for slating, because I can use them with one hand.

•Also I noticed the Filmtools kit doesn't have a soft tape, or a fatmax in it.

• These are my favorite gloves, very heat insulated, and durable. Get a glove clip for them, because if you sit them around they will disappear.

Film tools is nice if you need to stock up, and want to stop by a store that has everything, and they have a knowledgeable friendly staff, but they are a bit overpriced on some items, and you could do better going to home depot, or amazon.